Rules & Expectations
Rome: The Eternal City is a roleplay-enforced world, not a combat sandbox with a Roman coat of paint. These rules exist to keep that story safe, fair, and worth telling - for you, and for everyone playing it alongside you.
Roleplay Is Required
This isn't a soft suggestion sitting next to the combat system - it's the baseline expectation for playing here at all.
Not Optional
Logging in only to fight, with no character voice behind it, isn't roleplay - it's using the world as a training dummy. If that's all you're after, Rome isn't the right fit.
Speak and Act In Character
Stay in character, speak and act as your character genuinely would, and put real effort into your poses and dialogue - not bare OOC shorthand standing in for a scene.
OOC Has Its Place
Out-of-character chat is fine - just keep it clearly separated from in-character scenes, so nobody's immersion breaks mid-story.
The gods of Rome are real, present, and rarely subtle - and they take a personal interest in how mortals conduct themselves. Poor roleplay, or a refusal to roleplay at all, does not go unnoticed and can draw real divine displeasure. Vivid, immersive, effortful roleplay is just as real a way to catch a god's favor. Play your part well, and Olympus may smile on you.
One Character, One Voice
Multiple characters per account are welcome - see our FAQ - this is about playing them honestly, not about how many you keep.
No Multiplaying
Never run two of your own characters at once to be in two places, cover both sides of a scene, or back yourself up in a fight.
No Self-Dealing
Don't trade gold or gear between your own characters, or otherwise use one to prop up another. Earn what your character has honestly, through the story.
Commit to the Scene
If you're playing a scene, commit to the one character in it. Don't quietly switch characters mid-scene to change how it plays out.
Code of Conduct
Respect Comes First
No hate speech, harassment, or discriminatory language, in character or out. Real people are on the other side of every character you meet.
Honor Story Boundaries
Respect other players' comfort levels and the boundaries they set for their characters' stories. Consent matters, especially for major or permanent plot impact.
Follow Staff in Events
During staff-run events and conflict resolution, follow directions promptly - staff are there to keep the story moving and fair for everyone involved.
Game Mechanics & Fair Play
No Metagaming
Using out-of-character knowledge to influence in-character decisions undermines the story for everyone, and isn't fair to players who earned their information honestly.
No Powergaming
Don't force outcomes on unwilling players, whether in combat, social scenes, or plot developments. Let actions have real, contestable stakes.
No Cheating
Macros, scripts, bots, or any other form of automation to play the game for you are never allowed, in combat or out of it. Play it yourself, every time.
Combat Has Real Weight
Death and defeat carry real consequences that scale with your character's experience - the world is more forgiving to the newly arrived than to the seasoned and proven. Don't expect to talk your way out of a fight's outcome after the fact.
Exploits Get Reported, Not Exploited
Found a bug that breaks the game in your favor? Report it to staff immediately rather than taking advantage - see the Contact page.
Roleplay Etiquette
OOC Stays OOC
Keep out-of-character conversation clearly separated from in-character scenes, so nobody's immersion gets accidentally broken mid-story.
Villains Are Welcome
A well-played antagonist makes the story better for everyone. Just remember: playing a cruel character doesn't excuse being cruel to the player behind the screen.
Escalate Thoughtfully
High-stakes conflict, PvP, and major character-altering moments are more fun when everyone involved is genuinely up for it. When in doubt, check in - in character or out.
Enforcement
Infractions may result in warnings, temporary suspensions, or bans depending on severity. Staff decisions are made with the health of the community in mind and are final, but may be appealed through our community channels - see the Community page for where to reach us.
Staff aren't the only ones watching, either - in Rome, poor conduct can draw a more immediate, in-fiction response from the gods themselves. Consider both before you act.
Something Feel Wrong?
Don't sit on it. For a rules violation, reach out via the Contact page or email us directly at zeus@rome.vineyard.haus. For a bug or an idea, it's often fastest to type bug or idea right from in-game - we read every one. We'd rather hear about a problem early than have it fester.